Who is the new israel in the bible

In the Bible, the concept of a "new Israel" refers to a group of people who are considered to be the spiritual descendants of the original Israelites, but who are not necessarily physically descended from them.

In the Old Testament, the term "Israel" refers to the physical descendants of Jacob, who was renamed Israel by God (Genesis 32:28). However, the prophets often spoke of a future time when a new Israel would arise, consisting of people who would be faithful to God and inherit the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

In the New Testament, the term "Israel" is used to refer to the church, which is considered to be the spiritual Israel (Galatians 6:16). This is because the church is seen as the continuation of the original Israel, with its members being the spiritual descendants of Abraham, who is considered the father of all believers (Romans 4:11-12).

In particular, the apostle Paul writes that the church is the "true Israel" (Romans 2:28-29), and that Gentiles (non-Jews) who believe in Jesus Christ are grafted into the olive tree of Israel, becoming part of the true Israel (Romans 11:17-24).

In this sense, the "new Israel" is not a physical nation, but a spiritual community of believers who are united in their faith in Jesus Christ and their commitment to following God's will.

Some specific passages that speak of the "new Israel" include:

• Galatians 6:16: "As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them and mercy, as well as on the Israel of God."
• Romans 2:28-29: "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God."
• Romans 11:17-24: "For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, the branches are holy. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the rich root of the olive tree, you will do well not to boast against the branches. But if you boast against them, it is not you who will not be the branch, but you will be cut off. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either. (Note: This passage is often referred to as the "olive tree" passage, and is seen as a key passage on the concept of the "new Israel".)"

It's worth noting that the concept of the "new Israel" is not a single, unified doctrine, but rather a theme that runs throughout the Bible, with different authors and passages emphasizing different aspects of the idea.